Ancient site · Italy · Restored
Sassi di Matera
The Sassi di Matera are two historic districts (Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano) of Matera, Italy, formed of houses and churches carved directly into the pale calcarenite rock. The complex is a continuous troglodyte settlement with cave dwellings, narrow streets, terraces and rupestrian churches, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the park of the Rupestrian Churches. The districts were long inhabited until large-scale relocations in the 1950s and have since been partly restored and reused for tourism.
Its prime
1950
Today
Restored
As it stood in 1950
What Sassi di Matera looked like in its prime.
A dense, terraced cluster of pale, weathered calcarenite buildings and cave openings carved into a steep ravine; flat and pitched tiled roofs, small dark windows and arched doorways step down the slope, interspersed with exposed rough rock outcrops and vaulted recesses. Narrow stone alleys and stairways run across roofs and between houses; occasional whitewashed facades, low parapet terraces, and a tall bell-tower puncture the skyline against a wide sky.
Step inside
8 places to explore in 1950.
The record describes 8 distinct spots at Sassi di Matera — including 2 interiors: interior of a cave dwelling, rupestrian church nave (park of the rupestrian churches). Create your own photoreal reconstruction and walk through every one — more scenes means more photos, more angles and more of the immersive experience.
Create History
Recreate Sassi di Matera with AI to explore it.
The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1950 — a photoreal walk that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.
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